The Complexities Of Second Temple Judaism

Book Summary

Paul's view of the law and justification has been a perennial problem for historians and biblical scholars. This collection of essays by an international list of esteemed scholars seeks, in the first of two volumes, to reexamine the concept of covenantal nomism as described in E. P. Sanders's Paul and Palestinian Judaism and calls for a new understanding of the complexities of the Judaism of Jesus' (and Paul's) day. Contributors Philip S. Alexander Richard Bauckham Markus Bockmuehl D. A. Carson Philip R. Davies Roland Deines Peter Enns Craig A. Evans Daniel Falk Donald E. Gowan David M. Hay Robert A. Kugler Martin McNamara Mark A. Seifrid Paul Spilsbury "Justification and Variegated Nomism presents the most thorough reexamination to date of E. P. Sanders's Paul and Palestinian Judaism. This new study of the intertestamental literature will require a rethinking of Sanders's concept of covenantal nomism and its application to Paul's theology of justification." -Frank J. Matera, Catholic University of America "This is a fine survey of an important theme. The focus on literary genres brings out the diversity of Second Temple Judaism. The editors have brought together a team of scholars that is international, ecumenical, and generally first rate." -John J. Collins, Yale University Divinity School D. A. Carson (Ph.D., University of Cambridge) is research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Peter T. O'Brien (Ph.D., University of Manchester) is senior research fellow at Moore Theological College. Mark A. Seifrid (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is professor of New Testament interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. A comprehension of Paul's understanding of the law and justification has been a perennial problem for historians and theologians. The need for further clarity has given rise to this collection of essays by an international list of esteemed scholars who seek, in the first of two volumes, to illuminate the complexities of the Judaism of Jesus' (and Paul's) day. Was it a legalistic religion that taught one could be justified before God by obeying law? Was it even one religion, or was it a collection of traditions with some similarities and many dissimilarities? A second volume is forthcoming which will further this discussion among scholars through an evaluation of the paradoxes of Paul.

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